Maxercise and BJJ United are primarily BJJ schools only. Philly MMA has jiu jitsu, but has a much better Muay Thai program (and a great facility to support it) should you want to expand your horizons a little bit.

Im not saying dont go to Balance, but to say that they are the best school in the area so abruptly is very debatable.

Thanks. I'm always trying to stay aware of where good places are to train if I travel.

All the noted schools in Philly are very good; which one you choose to train at on a permanent basis would depend on your specific goals. When someone is talking about training just one or two sessions while they're on vacation, however, the school that has eleven black belt instructors and an ADCC vet is the one where you're most likely to get value in the small amount of time you'll be there. My answer was in the context of Anthony's specific question and was not meant as a slight at other schools in the area or blanket assessment of Balance in any other context; sorry if I offended.

"Just what makes a pure grappler think he can survive with an experienced striker. Especially if that striker isn't following any particular rule set and is well aware of what the grapplers strategies are".

I was starting to read an under current. I respect every poster in this thread, so rather let it fester, have it out in the open.

Originally Posted by Sifu Rudy Abel

"Just what makes a pure grappler think he can survive with an experienced striker. Especially if that striker isn't following any particular rule set and is well aware of what the grapplers strategies are".

Seriously though, Balance has good instructors in the Migliarese brothers, both BB's under Relson. The others have their own schools though and are more or less affiliates. Rick M has the no gi game down to teach that aspect of the game and John Hassett is quite good as well (although they primarily teach out of their own schools as well).

That being said, I think the primary schools in Philly (Balance, Maxercise, and BJJ United) are some of the top schools in the country, let alone the area, so you're not going to make a wrong choice over which one you'd attend. Balance has way more upper ranks than do the other schools, but thats primarily because they all started together (and most stayed together). Theres more to judging a school besides that. Beyond having credible instructors, ask whether they have credible students, seeing as students reflect an instructors teaching ability. As was said though, you're not going to make a wrong choice.